Catherine says:
Drove 10 hours today. From Amiens in the north to Limoges further south via Rouen, Chartres then Orleans. Tomorrow we head down even further towards the coast to Puisserguier.
That's all I'm going to say about that because right now my head is so close to the pillow I'm almost comatose.
Im tired just reading it .....
ReplyDeleteAngela Says:
ReplyDeleteGreetings Margot last week was the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino (Italy). My father fought in this battle. He is 90 and still going strong. So at your next "downtime" maybe google some of the below. I felt your sadness and joy on seeing the red poppies and I can only imagine what it was like being there.
The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino
Polish Cemetery at Monte Cassino
The Polish memorial at Monte Cassino bears the following two inscriptions
The first, based on the Epitaph of Simonides, reads:
Passer-by, go tell Poland
That we have perished obedient to her service
The other translates from Polish - which I find so emotional it hurts!
For our freedom and yours
We soldiers of Poland
Gave
Our soul to God
Our life to the soil of Italy
Our hearts to Poland
Safe travels
Hi Angela -both Mum and I thought that was so beautiful, moving and emotional. And, of course, very sad. We will say a prayer for you and your Dad at the next Cathedral visit.
ReplyDeleteAs we drove through France yesterday and saw wide green fields all around us I kept imagining all the lives lost, their remains spread across the countryside. My understanding of past atrocities is so much greater now. But it saddens me that similar wars are still being fought today. So very, very senseless.
Catherine (a.k.a. Chaintree... just an anagram of my first name!)